Adam Thielen, the seasoned wide receiver, has announced his return for a 12th season in the NFL. At 34, Thielen has decided to continue his career with the Carolina Panthers after seriously contemplating retirement following the 2024 season. The veteran wide receiver cited his unwavering competitiveness and love for the game as factors influencing his decision to play through the 2025 season.
Thielen's impressive career statistics underscore his impact in the league. Ranked fifth all-time among undrafted players in NFL history for both catches and yards, he has amassed 685 career receptions, 8,311 yards, and 64 touchdowns. Notably, he stands fourth in touchdowns among undrafted players. These achievements reflect his consistent performance and dedication to the sport.
In 2023, Thielen inked a three-year, $25 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, set to expire after the 2025 season. His presence on the field remains significant, contributing a team-best 103 catches and 1,014 yards during his first year with the Panthers. However, the 2024 season posed challenges as he missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, managing 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns.
Despite these setbacks, Thielen emphasizes his desire to contribute at a high level. He stated:
"I'm a competitor. I want that ball. I feel I can still play at a high level and want to help this team win." – Adam Thielen
The decision to continue his career wasn't without its deliberations. Thielen expressed a strong inclination towards retirement, considering the opportunity to spend more time with family and explore a second career. Yet, his commitment to the Panthers and love for football prevailed as he resolved to persevere.
"And a big part of me is like I'm ready to move on and spend more time with my family and move on to the second career. But again, once I make that mindset of like, 'All right, I'm doing this,' it's all in." – Adam Thielen
Thielen's return will see him count $8,005,235 against the Panthers' 2025 salary cap, emphasizing his continued value to the team. His decision was made after discussions with the organization where he indicated that retirement was a strong possibility:
"Because I kind of told them at that point this could be it." – Adam Thielen
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